An ancient Sanskrit maxim declares, “Pride, bad language, stubbornness, pessimism and refusing to listen to counsel – these are five characteristics of a fool”. Friedrich Schiller, a German poet had said, “Against stupidity the very gods themselves, contend in vain”.
It’s said that the foolish always have a lot to say, and the wise ones are usually silent. One of the biggest signs of stupidity is that you do not know that you do not know. Your ignorance and that you have no idea how to do something is usually pretty obvious to people around you. However, a stupid person begins to believe that he can do anything. A declaration of having an ability without having the skill set can make anyone look stupid. When you don’t know that you don’t know, you are ignorant and blocked from learning anything new.
Of course, people aren’t usually stupid, and often have hidden skills that they do not even know about. Despite knowing the consequences of getting into a situation without having the resources or preparation, you sometimes jump into the unknown, and some unknown ability lying latent appears unbidden. You will find that at such times people metamorphose into unlikely heroes. Courage is such a thing that cannot appear on call. It is triggered spontaneously in extraordinary circumstances. This is a hidden aspect of ourselves. Not knowing that we have a hidden ability or a natural skill that we did not even know that we have, we are often astonished. Leaps of faith expand our limits and understanding of ourselves. An ability to talk to people who you have never met before, with deep empathy and understanding is another such skill that is natural. When you don’t know that you know, you are asleep, and some wise person or situation can awaken you, but only if you are open to receiving knowledge.
However, not knowing you do not know is a problem with some people who have become famous or successful in a particular area of their lives, when they begin to believe that they have become qualified to share their views in some other field, which is not their experience or expertise. There are some people, drunk on power and the delusion of invincibility who have an opinion on everything. At times, when they begin airing their views, with their limited knowledge, they end up displaying their ignorance. Film stars, sports persons, politicians, etc, are quite often invited as guests to schools and colleges to address the students. A rare few of them have been known to speak on subjects they don’t know much about and end up making a fool of themselves. Not knowing that they don’t know, ignoramuses try to show off and brag about things, and usually end up making a fool of themselves.
People who are aware of their lack of knowledge are usually very simple and humble. They rarely talk of things they do not know about, except with awe and wonder when learning something new. They have a childlike innocence. They readily admit to their limited understanding. Knowing one’s limitations is a sign of deepening wisdom. When you know that you do not know, you are open to learning, and you become a sincere seeker walking the path of spiritual wisdom. Self-realised ones know the ultimate truth, which is the essence of all that is to be known. They might talk about many things, to help those who are suffering due to their ignorance. But, they will rarely speak of the deepest truths that they have realised. Lao Tzu said, “Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.” When you know that you know, you are awake and there is pure happiness, unbounded love and total silence.
An ancient saying echoes this thought, “He who knows not, and knows not he knows not, is a fool; shun him. He who knows not, and knows he knows not, is simple; teach him. He who knows, and knows not he knows, is asleep; awaken him. He who knows, and knows he knows, is wise; follow him.”
Deepam Chatterjee is the author of The Millennial Yogi. He can be contacted on deepamchatterjee@yahoo.co.in